High School Students Recognized by Kiwanis for Outstanding Community Service, Awarded Scholarships

Posted May 23, 2017

The Kiwanis Club of Mariemont recognized Mariemont High School students for their outstanding community service, as the culmination of its outstanding community service celebration for the school year.

Mariemont High School junior William Weston received the Kiwanis' Outstanding Community Service Award for the work he has done with Key Club and the Eliminate 5K. This year, the school's Eliminate 5K was the highest grossest Key Club fundraiser in the state of Ohio and was third in the country.

"Will was a force in directing and coordinating a force of his high school peers," said Julie Bell, Key Club advisor. "Like a lot of our Key Club members, Will is active in volunteering but he is also a natural and gracious leader in the school and the community. The efforts of our Key Club are felt in the school, in the community and across the globe."

Kiwanis also awarded graduating Mariemont High School seniors with college scholarships.
To date, Kiwanis has awarded over $250,000 in scholarships to district seniors. This year, four Mariemont High School seniors received scholarships: Erin Cash, who will attend the University of Cincinnati to study neuroscience; Adrianna Henderson, who will attend the University of Cincinnati to study political science; Santiago Martinez, who plans to major in communications at the University of Cincinnati; and Madison Smith, who also plans to attend the University of Cincinnati.

"These students exemplify the district motto of being scholars of today and leaders of tomorrow," said Dr. Jim Renner, principal at Mariemont High School. "I am always thrilled to hear about all of the great things our students are doing and plan to do in the future, and I am grateful for the role Kiwanis plays in their lives through the scholarship program and as great role models."

This year's Hugh O'Brien Leadership (HOBY) conference attendees, Kate Overbey and Jackson Pillman, were also recognized at the meeting. Each year, the high school counselors select a sophomore girl and a boy to attend this special leadership training and bring their learning back to the school, and Kiwanis makes it financially possible.

"I'm looking forward to meeting and teambuilding with new people," said Kate. "The whole service aspect of the conference interests me because service learning and giving back are my passions, and I am thankful to Kiwanis for giving me this opportunity."